DeLauro on Latest Recall of Ground Beef

WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) releasedthe following statement today on the United States Agriculture Department'snews they have recalled 50,100 pounds of ground beef. The beef is potentiallycontaminated with the dangerous pathogen E. coli O157:H7.

"The ground beef potentially contaminated with the dangerousstrand of E. coli was only identified because of normal inspection practices bythe Food Safety and Inspection Service. The corresponding recallannounced late last night reinforces the need for a strong federal food safetysystem with adequate resources. Without strong oversight, that product couldhave continued to pose a threat to consumers in the marketplace. Wealready see far too many recalls. We have to stop cutting corners and adequatelyfund our food safety inspectors and programs. I will continue to advocate forestablishing a single food safety agency later this year so that our foodsafety system receives the singular focus the American people deserve."